China will ban ‘hidden’ car door handles from 2027, reports Reuters. This makes the country the first country to phase out a design pioneered by Tesla and adopted by Chinese EV makers.
The hidden handle design has drawn scrutiny in both the United States and China over potential safety risks. Chinese state media reported in October that the driver of a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra sedan died in an accident after passers-by were unable to open the door to pull him out of the burning vehicle.
China’s industry ministry said on Monday that under its new safety technical requirements, every car door should be equipped with both exterior and interior handles. Mechanical release designs will be mandatory, with innovations such as electrical handles optional.